Jashodaben, the 62-year-old wife of the BJP?s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, is currently on ?pilgrimage?, praying for her husband?s success in the Lok Sabha elections, according to family members.
Ashok Modi, Jashodaben?s brother who lives in Unjha, described as ?baseless? the description of his sister?s marriage with Modi ? provided by the chief minister?s elder brother Somabhai Modi on Thursday ? as ?child marriage?.
?Even if he (Somabhai) is claiming that it was a child marriage, it means he is admitting that there indeed was a marriage between my sister and Modi. However, it is baseless that it was a child marriage as my sister Jashodaben was 17 years old at the time of the wedding. Our family has never lied about this union, and whatever information has been provided by Jashodaben is genuine,? Ashok Modi said.
Asked where Jashodaben was, Ashok said, ?My sister has gone on a spiritual tour with a family friend. She has already visited Ambaji, but she did not wish to return home and has decided to extend her tour and is currently in Ganganagar. She is constantly in touch with us.?
Sources close Jashodaben said she is known to be deeply religious, and has taken a ?religious vow? to pray for Modi?s success in his mission to become prime minister. She is currently on pilgrimage to Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram, the sources said.
Narendra Modi?s younger brother Prahlad said, ?I was too young at that time to remember details about my brother?s marriage. I don?t recall seeing Jashodaben in my house. However, if my elder brother Somabhai is saying so, then it must be true.?
In his statement issued Thursday, Somabhai explained the circumstances of the BJP leader?s wedding to Jashodaben and said that ?this marriage, in his (Narendra Modi?s) childhood, to Jashodaben Chimanbhai Modi, was a formal ritual because Narendrabhai had already left home then?.